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career renaissance similar to Allen, now that he’s playing with
a healthy Von Miller in Denver. Ware, like Allen is 32, and has
117 career sacks.
Probability of Record Falling: While defensive ends are
getting more opportunities to tee off on the quarterback, QBs
are now trending more mobile, able to squirt out of harm’s
way that resulted in sacks to previous pocket passers. West
Coast offenses, with their short timing routes, also tend to
protect QBs more, giving pass rush rushers less time to get
to the QB, making this a tough mark to reach.
9. 2000 Baltimore Ravens - 165 Points
Allowed in a Season
This record has an asterisk by it but not because of any
question marks on the part of the 2000 Ravens’ defense. This
devastating defensive unit—led by future/current Hall of Famers
Ray Lewis and Rod Woodson, anchored by Sam Adams and
Tony Siragusa and coached by future NFL head coaches Rex
Ryan, Mike Smith, and Jack Del Rio—allowed 165 points with
five shutouts on their way to a Super Bowl. One asterisk comes
in that their record is for a 16-game schedule. The 14-game mark
is 138 points set by the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers, also Super Bowl
Champions. Baltimore’s unit was actually more effective than
their record states, as the defense wasn’t on the field for 13 points
that season, which came against the offense. So, technically
they only allowed 152 points. Whether choosing 152 or 165, the
Ravens are well ahead of the next nearest team in a 16-game
slate, the 1986 Chicago Bears, who allowed 187 points. The 2013
Seattle Seahawks smothered the NFL, allowing 231 points, and
were even more impressive in the postseason, allowing 40 points
in three games and only eight to Denver in the Super Bowl. With
eight starters returning, the Seahawks could be even stronger in
2014. The Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s stingiest team last season
(305 points, tied with Cincinnati), improved on the defensive line
during the offseason and also could challenge the record.
Probability of Record Falling: Not anytime soon as offenses
are scoring at at record-setting paces. With all the pressures
that offenses are exerting on defenses, even a top-flight D
would have trouble staying below 200 points.
10. 2013 Denver Broncos - 606 Points
Scored in a Season
Peyton Manning showed that he was back in 2013, leading
a high-octane offense that was the first to crack the 600-points
barrier. The Broncos finished more than 150 points better than
second-place Chicago (445), were held under 30 only three times
JUSTIN EDMONDS/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
and never scored fewer than 20 (until the Super Bowl). The
offensive onslaught is impressive even by modern standards.
While the top four scoring seasons have come since 2007 and
nine of the top 12 have come since 2004, Denver was 17 points
better than the next team, the 2007 New England Patriots. If
anyone can match or even surpass the ’13 Broncos it might be the
’14 Broncos, as Manning will surely have a chip on his shoulder
based on the taste left from ’13. Watch the Philadelphia Eagles,
as Chip Kelly’s high-powered offense moves into Year 2, having
finished Year One fourth in the league at 442 points, a field goal
short of second overall. The Chicago Bears, who were second,
also could take their offense up a notch, especially if they better
protect Jay Cutler and have him in the lineup for all 16 games.
Scoring the most points has been a good omen of getting to the
Super Bowl, as three of the last four top-scoring teams (2011
Green Bay, 2012 New England and 2013 Denver) have gotten
there, although it doesn’t guarantee winning it, as two of those
teams lost in the Super Bowl.
Probability of Record Falling: If it happens, it could very well
be the Denver Broncos that surpass themselves. It just takes
a team with an elite quarterback and deep receiving corps.
Prolific offenses like Denver, New England, New Orleans and
Indianapolis will still have to catch fire over the season to
put up the necessary 38 points per game to surpass 606. No
easy task.
DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES SPORT CLASSIC